Table of contents for 2023-06-30 in DFA News

A REPORT into allegations of corruption, maladministration and financial misconduct against three senior managers at the Northern Cape Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, states that they must be disciplined and transferred. The investigation report recommended that the chief financial officer (CFO), A Coleridge, the chief director for corporate services, Bonakele Jacobs, and the chief director for special programmes, David Mdutyana, be subjected to disciplinary action for failing in their duties. The report found that the three senior managers showed a "poor understanding of their responsibilities in good governance principles and prudent financial management". The report, which was commissioned by a task team established by the Office of the Premier, instructed that action be taken for their involvement in the appointment of the director of sport and recreation as well…

THE N7 highway in the Northern Cape has been closed due to flooding in some areas. According to the South African National Roads Agency’s Western Region manager of Sanral, Randall Cable, a section of the N7, approximately 10 kilometres before Vioolsdrift, has been closed due to flooding. “A portion of the N7 has already been severely damaged and water levels on that road continue to rise. It is likely that more damage will occur. The N7 will remain closed in order for the necessary repairs to be done once the water levels have dropped. “Road users travelling to Namibia can access the country at the Alexander Bay Border, via the Steinkopf intersection towards Port Nolloth on the R382.” Cable said their teams are on standby for any possible emergencies.…

MARY-Anne Daubermann, during her tenure as president, led the Kimberley Rotary Club with unwavering dedication and a passion for community service. During her outgoing speech at the Boys’ High Old Boys’ Club, Daubermann expressed her gratitude for a year filled with remarkable achievements and unwavering community support. The event served as an opportunity to reflect on the Rotary Club’s diverse range of activities, which encompassed various areas of focus and made a significant impact on the local community. Daubermann began her address by acknowledging the bitter-sweet nature of the occasion. While the year had been filled with fun and laughter, the Rotary Club also experienced the loss of their district governor, Gavin Jepson. Jepson was remembered as a committed Rotarian who exemplified leadership and integrity in his service. Daubermann expressed…

SOLIDARITY has announced a dispute regarding salary negotiations between itself and Anglo American’s iron ore producer, Kumba Iron Ore. According to Solidarity, this follows its warning to the organisation last week that negotiations will derail if Kumba continues with an offer lower than the Consumer Price Index (CPI), as well as a lower offer compared to other workers. “Kumba’s offer to Solidarity members will result in skilled workers subsidising increases for co-workers. The final offer from Kumba Iron Ore was consequently rejected by Solidarity members,” it said. According to Solidarity, Kumba also offered a commitment containing a lot of contradictions to the reopening of negotiations if inflation were to rise above a certain percentage. “However, the wording of the clause is so poor and misleading that it has no binding…

This time of year brings both excitement and anxiety for archers as they contemplate the rewards of their hard work and dedication throughout the season, while looking ahead to potential opportunities in the sport. Archers are faced with the decision of whether to pursue an opportunity to compete at the national level carefully, considering their personal and financial circumstances. While the financial cost of participating at the national level is substantial, the experience and recognition gained make it a highly rewarding endeavour. And here at home, more and more archers are facing this dilemma with archery in the Northern Cape witnessing a remarkable surge of late. The skill and talent of local archers has seen them achieving new heights of excellence. In fact, at the recent Inter-Schools Competition held at…

The Under-18s, eager to make their mark in the national arena, put on an impressive display of skills and teamwork during the warm-up game. With the championship just around the corner, this fixture allowed them to fine-tune their strategies and build chemistry among the team members. Their commitment and determination are palpable as they set out to bring glory to their city in the upcoming tournament. According to Northern Cape Basketball Association Provincial Treasurer Mzukisi Sitsili, this weekend promises even more excitement as both the girls and boys Under-18 Provincial teams will play preparatory games. “These games will serve as vital stepping stones for the young athletes, offering them a chance to fine-tune their skills and gain valuable experience,” Sitsili told the DFA. “All lovers of basketball are invited to…

AGGRIEVED city residents, who are objecting to the revised electricity tariffs that will come into effect on July 1, are calling for Sol Plaatje executive mayor Kagisho Sonyoni to resign if the 15 percent increase and the basic and capacity fees are not halted. The Kimberley Action Group, which handed over a memorandum to the municipality on June 26, had not received a response to their list of grievances, as requested, by June 28. The community organisation is attempting to avert another shutdown of the city after residents indicated that they were “gatvol”. Kimberley Action Group member Herbert Miller stated that the entire council should be disbanded if the community’s grievances were not taken seriously. “We have extended the grace period until Friday (today) to allow the municipality a chance…

THE KIMBERLEY Rotary Club celebrated a momentous occasion recently as they held their annual induction dinner to welcome their new president, Johan Cronje. The event, held at the Boys’ High Old Boys’ Club, was attended by prominent community leaders, local dignitaries, and esteemed members of the Rotary family. Cronje, a respected and dedicated Rotarian, officially took over the reins from the outgoing president, Mary-Anne Daubermann. The evening was filled with a sense of camaraderie and excitement as club members and guests gathered to honour the outgoing president for her remarkable service and to welcome the new leader who would guide the club in its future endeavours. As the gavel was passed to Cronje, a new chapter in the club's history was marked. In his induction speech, Cronje expressed his gratitude…

A 29-YEAR-old man, Tebogo Gregory Damme, was sentenced to 18 years’ direct imprisonment after he pleaded guilty to raping an 11-year-old boy. The incident happened on November 23, 2019 at Snake Park in Galeshewe after the minor, who is known to Damme, was sent to the tuck shop. According to the State, the boy asked Damme to accompany him to the tuck shop as it was late. The regional spokesperson of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Mojalefa Senokoatsane, said the boy was raped after returning from the tuck shop with Damme. “The accused did oblige to the request of the minor after he asked him to walk with him to the tuck shop. However, on their way back home, he decided to take the victim to a nearby ditch and…

AFTER playing the role of ‘bridesmaids’ by finishing as runners-up for the past two seasons, the Diamond Ladies Football Club is causing a stir in the local football scene as they continue to excel in the Sasol women’s provincial league. Based in Club 2000, and with their third season under way since being promoted, the team has firmly established themselves as a formidable contender. After finishing second in Stream B during the past two seasons, they now have their sights set on claiming the top spot. The season thus far has been a remarkable one for Diamond Ladies, as they remain unbeaten with an impressive 12-game winning streak, and with only four games left to play, the team, currently in third spot, is on the verge of clinching the Stream…

THE NORTHERN Cape Department of Roads and Public Works said it will make use of “alternative and innovative ways”, such as the usage of waste materials like calcrete and fog spray, to improve the quality of the roads in the Province. The MEC for Roads and Public Works, Fufe Makatong, during her budget speech, noted that ensuring that the provincial roads are safe for all road users remains a priority for her office. She said the department will be increasing its efforts to maintain the roads and prevent further deterioration. Makatong said new technology will assist the department to repair roads faster and more efficiently. “In ensuring a safe and sustainable transport network, we will make use of alternative and innovative ways to re-engineer our roads by using mine waste…

SEEMS like these days you cannot turn, blink nor even inhale without being exposed to bad news in some or other shape or form. Pick up a newspaper – and here I need to be careful, because newspapers are my bread and peanut butter – and headlines of man’s inhumanity to man assail you. I pity journalists. Honestly, if people were nicer to each other, the news would be so much more pleasant and uplifting to write. Even when watching that snippet of ‘good news’ during a televised news bulletin, you have that dreaded band running at the bottom of the screen proclaiming earthquake, flood, war, chaos and other mayhem. Then, when we stop by to visit our friends or connect on social media, what do we do? We…

TWO OF the killers who were sentenced to life imprisonment for the double murder of DA councillor Johannes Baatjies and his business partner Jeffrey Nouse in Danielskuil in 2016, have been handed additional sentences for housebreaking as well as the illegal possession of hunting rifles and ammunition. The accused, Zoniselo Richard Mgawu, Thompson Charlie Mphondomisa and Justice Floyd Chiloane, were sentenced in the Kuruman Magistrate’s Court last week. The incident took place on a farm near Danielskuil in November 2015 prior to the double murders. Mgawu and Mphondomisa were each sentenced on June 23 to 10 years’ imprisonment for housebreaking with the intent to steal and theft, five years for the illegal possession of ammunition and 10 years for the illegal possession of firearms. They were also declared unfit to…

IN A THRILLING display of skill and determination, the Kimberley Rugby Club (KRC) emerged triumphant over Douglas with a convincing 31-7 victory last week, and were crowned the champions of the Kimberley region. The hard-fought battle showcased KRC’s prowess and solidified their status as a force to be reckoned with on the local rugby scene. Reflecting on the win, while speaking to the DFA, Pieter Streak, one of the coaches, expressed the team’s joy and satisfaction at lifting the trophy once again after a decade. “The KRC won the Kimberley region competition 10 years ago, and it means a lot to the team and coaching staff to reclaim the title,” said Streak, his voice brimming with pride. The match last week began with an impressive display by KRC, as they…

Kimberley Golf Club results for the week of June 21-24 and what’s on next week’s programme. Results for the week of June 21-24 are: The Wednesday, June 21 OBC Chicken competition was won by Garry Hepburn on 39pts. Second to fourth were decided on count-outs, all on 37pts; they were Andries Kori 2nd, Barrie van Zyl 3rd, and Phillip Maritz 4th. The Thursday, June 22 KWV niner was won by Chris Gordan on 28pts. Second was Michael Kidson on 27pts, with Keith Brown third on 22pts. The Friday June 23rd Flamingo Casino Sponsored 9-hole competition was won by Shareem Richards with 24pts. Second was Chris Gordon on 19pts on a count-out over Eugene Snyman in third, also on 19pts and Donald Whitebooi in fourth on a count-out with 19pts.…